Next Race to Jump

Myer Classic

Distance

1,600m

Grade

Group 1

Track

Flemington

Prizemoney

$500,000

Class

WFA for fillies and mares 3YO and up.

2017 winner

Shoals ($5)

The Myer Classic is a 1,600-metre race for fillies and mares aged three-years-old and above. Since its introduction in 1988, this race has become one of the highlights of Derby Day. This is especially the case since 2004, when the the race was awarded Group One status.

What makes the Myer Classic so special is that it typically boasts a field of all the best female horses from across the country. Therefore, on a day with so many high-quality events, this race tends to stand out from the pack.

Fittingly, the Myer Classic is registered as the Empire Rose Stakes. This is after the champion mare Empire Rose who did the Mackinnon Stakes / Melbourne Cup double in 1988, the same year this race was inaugurated.

The 1,600-metre start sees the usually large field of horses start just over a hundred metres before the long sweeping turn into the home straight. Because horses are running around this bend for so long, the ones that draw a bad barrier and are posted three or four-wide face a significant disadvantage.

However, due to the long Flemington straight, every horse has their opportunity to win if they are good enough. And it has been some good horses that have triumphed in this race of late, with the likes of Appearance, Red Tracer, I Am A Star and Shoals all saluting in the 2010s.

While it is not the most lucrative race up for grabs during the Flemington Carnival, the Myer Classic remains a definite highlight and target for trainers with a few food female horses in their stable.

2017 Myer Classic

Last year's edition of the race witnessed a gripping finish. It was the star filly Shoals who just held on from a fast finishing Eckstein and Dixie Blossoms.

Only having to carry 50kg in the run, it was this light weight that proved the difference in the end.